Bajirao I was the 7th and greatest Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy. He, after Shivaji, is considered to be the most charismatic and dynamic leader in Maratha history. He was just twenty years old and already had a reputation for rapid decisions and a passion for military adventure.
The Maratha Confederacy, also referred to as the Maratha Empire, was an early modern polity that rose in the 17th century and dominated much of the Indian subcontinent during the 18th century. It comprised the realms of the Peshwa and four major independent Maratha states often subordinate to the former.
The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1819) was the final and decisive conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India. The war left the Company in control of most of India. It began with an invasion of Maratha territory by British East India Company troops, and although the British were outnumbered, the Maratha army was decimated. The troops were led by Governor General Hastings, supported by a force under General Thomas Hislop. Operations began against the Pindaris, a band of Muslim mercenaries and Marathas from central India.
Balaji Baji Rao, often referred to as Nana Saheb I, was the 8th Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy. He was appointed as Peshwa in 1740 upon the death of his father, the Peshwa Bajirao I.
The First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782) was the first of three Anglo-Maratha Wars fought between the British East India Company and Maratha Confederacy in India. The war began with the Treaty of Surat and ended with the Treaty of Salbai. The war, fought in between Surat and Poona, saw British defeat and restoration of positions of both the parties before the war. Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal decided not to attack Pune directly.
Madhavrao I was the son of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao and grandson of Peshwa Bajirao I who served as 9th Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy. During his tenure, the Maratha Confederacy recovered from the losses they suffered during the Third Battle of Panipat, an event known as Maratha Resurrection.
Raghunathrao Ketkar, also known as Ragho Ballal or Raghoba Dada, was the younger son of Peshwa Bajirao I who served as the 11th Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy for a brief period from 1773 to 1774.
Sadashivrao Bhau Bhatt was son of Chimaji Appa and Rakhmabai and the nephew of Baji Rao I. He was a finance minister during the reign of Maratha emperor Rajaram II. He led the Maratha army at the Third Battle of Panipat.
Madhavrao II was the 12th Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy, from his infancy. He was known as Sawai Madhav Rao or Madhav Rao Narayan. He was the posthumous son of Narayanrao Peshwa, murdered in 1773 on the orders of Raghunathrao. Madhavrao II was considered the legal heir, and was installed as Peshwa by the Treaty of Salbai in 1782 after First Anglo-Maratha War.
Visaji Krushna Chinchalkar, popularly known as Visaji Pant Biniwale, was one of the leading generals of Peshwas in Northern India during 1759 to 1772. Peshwa Madhavrao I mainly sought his assistance in his attempt to restore Maratha Empire in the North after the defeat in the Battle of Panipat (1761).
Feroze Jung III or Nizam Shahabuddin Muhammad Feroz Khan Siddiqi Bayafandi also known by his sobriquet Imad-ul-Mulk, was the grand vizier of the Mughal Empire when it was under Maratha suzerainty, making them the de facto rulers.
The Battle of Rakshasbhuvan in India was fought on 10 August 1763. After the defeat of the Maratha Confederacy at the Battle of Panipat, their rivals started seizing the opportunity to recover their losses in the past at the hands of Marathas. Particularly, the Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to recover territory he had lost at the Battle of Udgir. He decided to launch a war on the Marathas.
The Maratha–Mysore wars were a conflict in the 18th century India between the Maratha Confederacy and the Kingdom of Mysore. Though initial hostilities between the sides started in 1760s, the last battle began in February 1785 and ended in 1787.
The Afghan–Maratha War was fought between the Afghan Empire under Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Maratha Confederacy and the Sikh Confederacy between 1758 and 1761. It took place in north-west India, primarily the region around Delhi and Punjab.
The Battle of Rattihalli, fought in 1764, pitted the forces of the Maratha Confederacy against those of the Mysore forces led by Hyder Ali. The Maratha army was commanded by Peshwa Madhavrao.
The Battle of Jadi Hanwati took place on December 1, 1764. The Peshwa himself led the Maratha army as they advanced towards Haidar's camp with 54 artillery pieces. Eight guns were positioned on a small hill on the left side of Haidar's camp. Ismail Khan, one of Haidar's officers, captured Maratha's guns. However, Haidar sent another officer named Haji Muhammad to prevent the Marathas from recapturing them. He also asked the Portuguese to stand with their backs to the woods and not move onto the plain.
The siege of Sira was an offensive conducted by Hyder Ali.
The Battle of Moti Talab, which took place on March 5, 1771, was a significant engagement between the forces of Mysore, led by Hyder Ali(who was succeeded by his son Tipu Sultan after his death), and the Maratha army, commanded by Trimbak Rao. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Marathas
Nizam-ul-Mulk established his authority in Karnataka, while Chanda Saheb rose to prominence. Shahu appointed Raghuji Bhonsle and Fateh Singh to collect tribute from Karnataka and protect the Tanjore region against Chanda Saheb. Raghuji and Fateh Singh advanced on Arcot, where Dost Ali Khan fell fighting the Marathas. His son, Safdar Ali, sought refuge in Vellore, and the valuables of the Nawab were sent to Pondicherry.
In September 1764, the Marathas under Madhavrao I began a siege of the Dharwar fort, held by Mir Faizulla's brother. Despite a two-month resistance, the situation for the defenders grew dire. Haidar sent Mir Faizulla to relieve the fort, but Gopal Rao Patwardhan and Anand Rao Raste prevented his intervention. The fort was surrendered on 6 November 1764. The Marathas then fortified Dharwar, leaving Haidar with only Bankapur. Efforts to negotiate peace were unsuccessful.
Maratha Confederacy 
Hyderabad State 
